Population & Environmental Statistics: Key Terms and Definitions
Definitions
Census
The individual count of the population at any given time. It collects demographic, economic, and social data. Conducted every 10 years (years ending in 0), it is a static document reflecting the population’s state at the time it is made.
Population of Fact
A set of persons in each municipality at the time of a census or municipal register. It does not include residents absent at that time.
Population of Right
A group of people registered to vote or legally resident in a municipality at the time of a census or municipal register. It includes all residents, whether or not present.
Emigration
Departure of the population from their home. There are two types: internal migration (within the country’s borders) and external migration (crossing national borders).
Immigration
Arrival of people to a destination. Foreign arrivals become naturalized Spanish citizens after several years. Legal immigrants obtain a residence permit and retain their original nationality. There are also illegal immigrants.
Rural Exodus
Migration between rural and urban areas with permanent or long-term motivation to find jobs and better income, improve health, access culture and entertainment, and enjoy more personal freedom.
Swing of the Pendulum
Movements between places of residence and work, most frequently between the periphery and the central city, as residence is moved to the city outskirts or nearby rural areas.
Real Growth
Real population growth is obtained by adding natural growth and net migration: CR = CN (Births – Deaths) + SM (Immigrants – Emigrants)
Index of Aging
Shows the percentage of the elderly population (65 years and older). It is calculated by multiplying the population over 65 by 100 and dividing by the total population.
Labor Force
The set of people 16 years and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services, or who are available and make efforts to join this production. This includes people who work for remuneration (active population) and those actively seeking employment (unemployed labor force), whether due to previous unemployment or searching for their first job.
Mortality Rate
Relates the number of deaths in a year to the total population and is expressed in per mil. Formula:
Mortality rate = (Number of deaths x 1000) / Total population
The mortality rate is high when more than 15 per thousand, medium when between 10-15 per thousand, and low when below 10 per thousand.
Infant Mortality Rate
Relates the number of children dying before reaching one year to total live births and is expressed in per mil. Formula:
Infant mortality rate = (Number of deaths under one year x 1000) / Number of births
The infant mortality rate is high if more than 50 per thousand, medium if between 50-25 per thousand, and low if less than 25 per thousand.
Fertility Rate
Relates the number of births in a year to the number of women of childbearing age and is expressed in per mil. Formula:
Fertility rate = (Number of births x 1000) / Number of women 15 to 49 years
It is high when above 150 per thousand, medium if between 150-75 per thousand, and low when less than 75 per thousand.
Rate of Natural Increase
Shows population change in a country at a certain time. Formula:
Rate of Natural Increase = Birth rate – Death rate
Padrón
Registration of inhabitants of a municipality. It collects demographic, economic, and social data. It is updated on January 1st of each year.
Migration Balance
Balance between immigration and emigration. A positive balance indicates net immigration; a negative balance indicates net emigration.
Rate of Natural Increase
The difference between birth rate (number of births in 1 year) and mortality rate (number of deaths in 1 year).
Demographic Transition
The transition between the old demographic regime and the current one, which took place between 1900 and 1975.
Life Expectancy
The average number of years lived by all members of a population. Life expectancy = (Sum of years lived x members of the population) / Number of individuals in the population.
Environmental Issues
Acid Rain
Formed when moisture in the air combines with nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emitted by factories, power plants, and vehicles that burn coal or petroleum products. These gases form sulfuric acid and nitric acid in interaction with water vapor. These chemicals then fall to earth with precipitation, forming acid rain.
Desertification
The process by which a territory without desert climatic conditions acquires the characteristics of a desert. This happens due to the destruction of vegetation cover, soil erosion, and water shortages. Human action exacerbates this natural process.
Deforestation
A process caused by human action that destroys forest areas. It is mainly due to logging by the timber industry and land clearing for agriculture.
Protected Natural Areas
Measures against environmental problems are complemented by the creation of protected natural areas. In Spain, the protection of natural areas began in the early 20th century with the National Parks Act. The first law of Protected Natural Areas was promulgated in 1975 and lasted until 1989. The current Law on the Conservation of Natural Areas and Flora and Fauna aims to conserve and restore protected areas such as national and natural parks, natural reserves, natural monuments, and protected natural landscapes.
Protected Landscapes
Areas preserved for their aesthetic and cultural values. Use must be compatible with conservation.
Spain also has protected areas included in the EU’s Natura 2000 network and UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.